Sunday, November 9, 2008

William Wesley Clepper 1905-1978


Wesley Clepper was born in Hockley, Texas on 27 Oct 1905 and was the son of William Wesley Morris Clepper and Maggie Lee (Forehand) Clepper.
Wesley and Clara Ada Johnson were married on 15 Oct 1932 in Waller County, Texas. Ada was born on 11 Apr 1912 in Montgomery County, Texas and was the daughter of John Wesley Johnson and Bell Zora (Quinn) Johnson.
During the Johnson Family Reunion on 13 Nov1999, a few of Ada's sisters described Wesley as a handsome, upbeat, joking, and hard-working man that was liked by almost everyone.
Since there was no work in Waller and the farming was poor, Wesley went to work in Galveston, Texas. One of their projects was the sea wall in Galveston.
"Daddy worked all up and down the Gulf Coast. He did work on the seawall at times. He supervised the causeway building in Galveston that is currently being replaced. I believe that was in the early 50's." - Ethylene.

 Wesley's second wife was Erma Lee Autrey (SSN# 460-16-5089); 20 Feb 1961. She was born 01 Jan 1911 in Burleson County, Texas and died on 01 Jun 1986. Her body was buried at the Macedonia-Springer Cemetery in Hockley, Waller County, Texas.
"Wesley was a member of the Pile Drivers Union, Local 2079 for approximately 30 years. He was liked by everyone he worked for and was very dependable. He was a supervisor on most construction jobs. Wesley was seriously injured on a construction job at the Tennessee Gas Building (Tennaco Bldg.) in downtown Houston, Texas. A large steel "I" beam fell on him. The doctors feared he would not live. He was not able to return to work again and suffered a lot of pain the rest of his life when arthritis set in due to his injury. He sold his property in Hockley and retired on a lake in [Quitman] Ark."

    Wesley and Ada had seven children. Harvey Loyd Clepper (1936-1997), Cecil Leonard Clepper (1937-1990), and Ethylene Clepper Beard (1943-2011) have passed away, but the other four are still living.

Source:
• Lucille Mehrkam, History and Genealogy of the Family of Jacob Klepper/Clepper Family and Malcolm McAlpine Family (The Gregath Company, 1996), Library of Congress under card number 86-62751 (Page 216)
• http://picasaweb.google.com/MasseyTX/WesleyClepper
• FindAGrave.com

Routh Cemetery - Plano, Texas


   One of the oldest in Collin County, the Routh Cemetery (32°59'36"N at 96°42'13"W) is located just north of the Dallas County line on Glenville Road and is less that two miles east of U.S. Highway 75.  This is a wooded area is on a high point southwest of the Spring Creek between the Renner and Campbell Roads.
    Tennessee Baptist Preacher Jacob Routh and his wife Lodemia Ann Campbell Routh purchased 640 acres of land in 1851 or 1852 from John Vance.  Routh's land was located south of the Joseph Klepper land grant that developed into the downtown area of Plano, Texas.  At that time, there were three graves on the land; William D. Klepper, son of Joseph and Nancy Klepper (plot 51), William's aunt Nancy DeLozier Beverly (plot 52), and the unmarked grave of a girl who's family was traveling though the area when she died.  By February 2000, it was estimated that there were 95 marked graves and another 100 unmarked.
    Nancy DeLozier married Civil War Captain William Beverly on 28Apr1828.   She was born on 10Mar1806 and died on 16Jun1651.  William also died in 1851 but the unknown girl is said to have been the first burial at this cemetery.  There is a legend that an indian was buried at this site before any of these people, but there are no records or written stories to back this claim.  We do know that the site was chosen because it is high above the Spring Creek and because the girl's family was camped near the creek when she died.
    Just at Christmas 1845, Nancy Russell died of what was believed to have been the cold of winter combined with a rough trip into Texas and premature child birth.   She was the young married daughter of Joseph Russell and she died just after the family arrived at their new land in Plano.  With no wood available for building as winter began, the family was forced to tear apart the bed of a wagon to build her coffin and they lined it with her mother's hand made quilts.  Nancy may be the travelers daughter that died while they were camped by Spring Creek and may be the first grave at the Routh Cemetery.

Source:
• Lucille Mehrkam, History and Genealogy of the Family of Jacob Klepper/Clepper Family and Malcolm McAlpine Family (The Gregath Company, 1996), Library of Congress under card number 86-62751
• The Plano Historical Committee, Plano Texas, The Early Years, Jan1986, ISBN 0-9651841-0-2 (page 105)
• Harold R. Huber, President of the Routh Cemetery Association
2037, harrold.huber@sabre.com
• Deed for this cemetery is listed in Vol. 658, page 114.
• Cathy Spaulding, Not only History, but family, (Plano Star Courier Newspaper, 04Apr1999)

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Joseph C Klepper 1842-1915


    Joseph Klepper was the son of Andrew Jackson Klepper and Nancy J ______. He was born 1844 in Tennessee and died 10 Oct 1915 in Collin County, Texas. He is buried with his family at the Fitzhugh Cemetery, in Forest Grove, Collin County, Texas.
 
There is a J. C. Klepper listed as the Mayor of Plano, Texas from 1888 to 1889. 

According to Lucille's book, “He is listed in the household of his father in the 1850 Greene Co., Mo. Census. He or his father are not in the 1860 Greene Co., Mo. census, but his mother and the younger children are. His father was in Texas by 1870. Joseph must have followed with his wife, children, mother and cousins Perry R (180) and Peter F. (181) by 1874.
Married 2 Jan. 1870 in Greene Co., MO to Sadie J. ; born Sept.1846 Robertson Co., TN.”

Children:

1. Oscar Flach Klepper b. 1872 Spring, MO.

2. Andrew T. Klepper b. Jun. 1873 MO; 1910 Dallas Co., Tx.

3. Wesley M. Klepper b. Aug. 1875 Collin Co., TX.

4. Minnie B. Klepper b. ca 1878 TX.

5. John E. Klepper b. Jun. 1881 Tx.

6. Fred Beatty Klepper b. Sep. 1883 Tx.

7. Ray E. Klepper b. Oct. 1886/7 Tx.; died Dec. 1963; buried Fitzhugh Cemetery.

8. Rose Klepper b. Mch. 1888 Tx; mar. Terry Peace England.

9. Nellie L. Klepper b. Nov. 1890 Tx.
 
Source:
• Lucille Mehrkam, History and Genealogy of the Family of Jacob Klepper/Clepper Family and Malcolm McAlpine Family (The Gregath Company, 1996), Library of Congress under card number 86-62751
• 1850 Greene Co., MO & 1880-1910 censuses of Collin Co., TX. Collins Co. Cemeteries Vol. 1; Soldier's Application for a Pension # 26763

Plano Mutual Cemetery - Texas


Luille Mehrkam’s book on the Klepper/Clepper family has Andrew Jackson Klepper’s branch of the family as buried in the Pike Cemetery, but they are actually in the Plano Mutual Cemetery.
    Located at the northwest corner of 18th Street and Jupiter Road in Plano, Collin County, Texas, you will find the Kleppers in the Masonic section of the cemetery.

Andrew Jackson Klepper, 15Jan1815 - 26Mar1891
Albert Arnold Klepper, 1884-1925 (son of John and Mary)
Andy Klepper  (John Bench Klepper's father Andrew?)
Etta Ann Kendley Klepper, 11Feb1853 - 21Oct1920
Frank Earl Klepper (artist, son of John and Mary), 1890-1952
Jeveria M. Klepper (daughter of J. and M. Klepper)
John Bench Klepper, 1849-1937
Mary Caroline Klepper, 1850-1904 (wife of John Bench Klepper)
Mary E. Klepper (daughter of A. J.)
Mary Florence Bazzlery Klepper (wife of C.M.), 26Aug1876 - 20 May 1912
Mary J. Klepper (wife of A. J.), 13Jan1817 - ?
Klepper (infant), 1878-1878

Source:
Lucille Mehrkham, History and Genealogy of the Family of Jacob Klepper/Clepper Family and Malcolm McAlpine Family (The Gregath Company, 1996), Library of Congress under card number 86-62751
Alice Pitts, Cemetery Records, Volume I, Collin County, Texas

Andrew Jackson Clepper 1815-1891


  Andy was born on 15 Jan 1815 in Hawkins County, Tennessee but we are not if his father was Samuel Klepper or Frederick Klepper.   According to Lucille's book, "In the 1830 census of Hawkins Co., Tn. Frederick shows a son the correct age to be Andrew. Andrew is in the 1840 census of Hawkins Co., Tn. and listed in his household, 1 male 20/30; 1 male 15/20; 2 females 20/30 and 1 female 10/15; died 26 Mch. 1891 Collin Co., Tx.; buried" Plano Mutual Cemetery
    "Andrew moved to Mo. ca 1841 and he is in 1850 census of Greene Co., Mo., Taylor Tws. with a wife Nancy 34 born in Tn.; Joseph C. 8 born in Tn.; Sarah 4 born in Mo.; John 1 born in Mo.; Mary P. 6 born in Mo.; Minerva P. 20 born in Tn. and Stephen Galbreath (sic) 19 born in Tn.
    Andrew must have left his family in Mo. and moved to Collin Co., Tx. by 1870 to be near Joseph (James) Klepper (14). He is listed in the 1870 census of Collin County, Tx. in the household of Geo. Mason, occupation blacksmith, age 54, born in Tn.; Nancy J. came to Texas ca 1876 with her son Joseph C. and his family and she is living in his household in 1880. (it would seem that she and Andrew J. were divorced). Nancy is buried" Plano Mutual Cemetery "(death date was not recorded in the "Collin County, Tx. Cemeteries Inscriptions Vol. 1)".
    Andrew J. is in the 1880 Collin Co., Tx. census with wife Etta 27, born in Ga. and daughter Mary Etta 7/12, born Tx
    1/mar. Nancy J. Bench, born 13 Jan. 1817 Tn/Va.? (1850 census shows born Tn., 1860 census born Va.); died 22 March 1906. Nancy and four children, Sarah 13, John 10, Martha 6 and Daniel 4 are in the 1860 Greene Co., Mo. census. Andrew J. and his son Joseph C. are not found in 1860 Greene Co., Mo.
    2/mar. ca 1879 to Etta Ann Kindly, (per cemetery records). Listed as Etta in 1880 Census; born 11 Feb. 1853 in Ga.; father born in Va.; mother born in Ga. Died 20 Oct. 1920; buried in the" Plano Mutual Cemetery.  "In 1900 Collin Co., Tx. I find Eliz. E. Klepper born Feb. 1854 Tx.; Robert A., son born Mch. 1882 Tx.; Sallie Ingrum, mother, born Jan 1827 in NC.; and P. A. Ingrum, brother, born May 1862 in Ga. (Is this Etta wife of A.J.??)"

    Andrew is listed in the 1780 census of Collin County, Texas as a 54 year old blacksmith and is noted as not being able to read or write.  Voting records later show his learning to write his name (signature on voting records).
Andrew Klepper’s blacksmith shop (Wagon Yard) was located on the east side of South Main Street. It was across the street from the Holloway & Davis livery Stable which was on the west side of the city hall.
Andy died on 26 Mar 1891.

Children:
1. Joseph C. Klepper b. May 1842 Tn.
2. Mary G. Klepper b. 1844 Mo.
3. Sarah Klepper b. 1846 Mo.
4. John Bench Klepper, born Oct 1849 in Mo.
5. Martha Klepper b. 1854 Mo.
6. Daniel L. Klepper b. Apr. 1856 MO; See 1900 & 1910 Dallas Co., TX censuses.
    1/mar. Ara/Ora ?; born May 1873 Ms.
    2/mar. Fannie ?; born 1882 Tx.
1. Roy Klepper b. Jan. 1895.
2. Clara Klepper b. 1900 Tx.
7. Mary Etta Klepper b. 1880 TX.; DY.
8. Robert A. Klepper b. Mch. 1882.

Source:
• Lucille Mehrkam, History and Genealogy of the Family of Jacob Klepper/Clepper Family and Malcolm McAlpine Family (The Gregath Company, 1996), Library of Congress under card number 86-62751. (Page 9)
• Copy of his signature is from Records of Reconstruction Days in Collin County, Texas (pg56?) by Rida Bickley Roose and Jeanette Bickley Bland.  A copy can be found at the Gladys Harrington Public Library in Plano, Collin County, Texas.
• The Plano Historical Committee, Plano Texas, The Early Years, Jan1986, ISBN 0-9651841-0-2 (page 230, 1855 Plano map on page 243)
• 1850 Greene Co., MO & 1880-1910 censuses of Collin Co.
• Soldier's Application for a Pension # 26763.
• Jon P. Czarowitz, Great Great Grandson of John Bench Klepper stated that Andrew went by the name "Andy"

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Wesley Clepper and the Bobcats


Two clippings from a Waller County area newspaper that are kept in a picture frame by William Wesley Clepper’s granddaughter, Dana Clepper Spires.

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HANDY WEAPON - W. W. Clepper, Rt. 1 Hockley, was driving down the road just south of Three-Mile Creek last Wednesday night when his car struck what he thought was a dog. Worried about the animal, Mr. Clepper got out to see about it. As he stepped from his car, this 20-pound bobcat, not a dog, jumped up and lunged at him. Mr. Clepper reached into the car for the only weapon - a crescent wrench. He struck down the big cat in the head, knocking it back, then killed it with the wrench.
- Staff Photo by Mary Midkiff

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Neighbor’s Dog Turned Into 20-Pound Bobcat
By Zane Chastain
Press Outdoor Editor

If you ever have reason to doubt that old saying about lightning striking twice in the same place, W. W. Clepper of Hockley can prove to you that it does... in the form of bobcats!
Driving home from the work just south of Three-Mile Creek recently late one evening, Clepper’s car struck something which felt like a dog.
Fearing it was one of his neighbor’s dogs that had dashed unseen out of the woods, the Houston area pile-driver operator stopped his car and started to get out to give the animal aid.
“It wasn’t a dog,” Clepper told listeners later on. “It was a big bobcat and he came right in after me when I started opening my door. That’s when I had to do something. So I grabbed a crescent wrench lying on the car seat and hit it.”
The blow, a solid one, lowered the boom on the cat, knocking it unconscious. The Clepper finished the devastating cat off.
As if that wasn’t enough, two weeks later, he was driving along the same road - and thinking about his hair-raising experience - when he saw a cat-like figure dash out of the woods into his headlights.
Again Clepper’s car hit the quick-moving animal and the husky Texas stopped to see what it was.
“Only this time I didn’t get out to see what it was,” he recalled. “I just backed up my car until I saw what it was. It was another bob-cat. Dead, too. This one, weighed 17 1/2 pounds.
The one he killed earlier pushed the scales to 20 pounds, and was a male.
“This one was a female. Must have been his mate. They travel in pairs and I was dog-gone lucky both of them didn’t tear into me that first night.”

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More Details:
• Lucille Mehrkam, History and Genealogy of the Family of Jacob Klepper/Clepper Family and Malcolm McAlpine Family (The Gregath Company, 1996), Library of Congress under card number 86-62751 (Page 216)

Joshua Daniel Irwin 1988-1992


Josh was born 18 Oct 1988 and was the son of Ronald Paul Irwin and Linda Irwin. He passed away on 15Nov1992 due to complications with his heart

His funeral was held on 18Nov1992 at the Word of Faith Church. The service was officiated by Dr. Ralph Marowitz and Pastor Art Osborne with Kim Garcia as the soloist and Jimmy Kelley as the pianist.
He was laid to rest in the Baby Land 1 section of the Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park Cemetery in Colleyville, Texas.

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But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 19:14

"Joshua was always around even when none of my friends were around. He would come into my room and play with me. I liked to read him stories from my Picture Bible. I would ask him what story he wanted me to read, and if I could find it, I would read it to him. He especially liked the story about 'Jesus walkin' on the water.' I'm glad he's in heaven, but I miss him." - Bubba (Chris Irwin)

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The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. - Isaiah 11:06

"Joshua is in such a better place. He is with his Heavenly Father, running and playing on the streets of gold. This scripture talks about animals living in peace with each other: the wolf with the lamb, the leopard and the goat, the lion and the calf. And all of these animals tame enough to be led around by a little child like Joshua. He loved lions, he had a shirt that said 'Daniel, President of the Lion's Club.' I get a real kick out of thinking about little Joshua leading a great big Lion around. I love you Joshua, my heart aches for you, but what a great place to be!" - Mommy. (Linda Irwin)

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But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. - Isaiah40:31

"I was there when you were first born, Joshua my son. I waited for you in the first few hours of your life when they performed surgery on your heart. I held you in my arms in the Intensive Care Unit and rocked you and read the Bible to you as much as I could. I watched you grow up and you became my special guy, my buddy. I loved to take you everywhere with me where I'd buy you almost anything because I loved you so. I know you never really had a normal child's life, you could not run and play for long, though you would always try and never seemed to mind. I was also there when you died. I held you in my arms for the first and last few hours of your life, though I choose to remember the hours in-between. But, now I know you're in heaven where you can run, play, and sing, and there you will never grow tired again and be happy for eternity. So, I'll see you again my son, someday really soon. I love you with all my heart, even more than I can say, and I thank you Lord, most of all for giving me this angel unaware." - Daddy. (Ron Irwin)

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Joshua Loved...
Jesus
Mom, Dad, & Bubba
Going to Church
Graduating to the 4 year old class so he could be with his friends Amber and Perry
Blessing the food "Thank you Father for this good food, bless it in Jesus name, Amen."
Saying his prayers and listening to his praise and worship tapes while going to sleep.
Going to stores and restaurants, especially toy stores.
Laughing, running, playing and singing.
Playing with his pretend food.
Building stuff.
Jumping on the trampoline with his Bubba.
Birthday presents and chocolate cake with ice cream.
Telling us Bible versus he learned in Sunday School.
Having Mommy of Daddy read him stories.
Watching puppy dog movies.
Being a "matching guy" with Bubba and Daddy (dressing alike).
Going to see the Cowboys and the Bears (football).
Going to the park and having someone swing him high.
Getting in bed with Mommy and Daddy when it's thundering outside.
Going swimming or playing in water.
Playing computer painting and Tree House game.
Saying "I love you."


Source:
• Lucille Mehrkam, History and Genealogy of the Family of Jacob Klepper/Clepper Family and Malcolm McAlpine Family (The Gregath Company, 1996), Library of Congress under card number 86-62751 (Page 217)
• Ronald Paul Irwin and Linda Irwin

John Klepper of Indiana

Does anyone know how John Klepper fits into the family tree?

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One of the many German citizens who have cast their lot in Shelby county and thereby have not only benefited themselves, but the general public as well, is John Klepper, a pioneer citizen of Westphalia township. He has always been an honorable, upright, industrious, temperate and economical man in every way, and his exemplary conduct has gained for him the esteem of his fellow citizens. He has performed well his part as a part of the body politic, and no one questions his standing as one of the leading farmers and worthy citizens of the township. John Klepper, the son of Christian and Margaret (Manger) Klepper, was born in Luxemburg, Germany, January 1, 1844. Christian Klepper traveled throughout Germany, buying coal and wood for large factories, and followed this business all his life. Christian and Margaret Klepper were the parents of eight children, all of whom are now deceased except John, Annie, Lena and Anthony. These children in the order of their birth are as follows: Michael, Lena, Anthony, Margaret, John, Annie and two who died in infancy. John Klepper received his education in the schools of Luxemburg, Ger- many, and after leaving school, worked upon his father's farm until he was twenty years old. He then went to France and worked on different farms in that country for six years. At the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, he returned to his native land, and he continued to work in Germany at different occupations until 1877, when he finally decided to come to the United States and invest in farming lands in Iowa, where many of his countrymen had already settled. Upon coming to this country he located in Clinton county, but a year later settled in Westphalia township, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres. He succeeded beyond his fondest hopes, whereas if he had remained in Germany he would have missed the golden harvest which has attended his efforts in this county. Today, he is the proud owner of four hundred and forty acres of fine farming land and each year he sends to the market four car loads of cattle and from two to four hundred head of hogs. In 1914, he put out two hundred acres of corn, and one hun- died and forty acres of oats. Mr. Klepper was married January 25, 1880, to Susan Altman, the daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. John Altman, and to this union have been born ten chil- dren, Benjamin, John, Michael, Nicholas, Joseph, Peter, Frank, Alexander, Anna, and Mary. Anna married John Schmitz, and has four children, Alvin, Alphonso, Alex and Cyril. The rest of the children are unmarried and still living with their parents. Mrs. Klepper's parents were natives of Germany and early settlers in this county, where they lived until their death. John Altman and wife were the parents of seven children: Susan, the wife of the immediate subject of this review; Justine, Annie, Susan, John, Nicholas and Lena. The Democratic party claims the support of Mr. Klepper and, although interested in good government, he has never been an aspirant for public office, or taken an active part in political matters. He and his family are members of the Catholic church, and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Klepper is a fine type of the self-made man.

Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1285 - 1286
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
http://www.rootsweb.com/~iashelby/1915bio/1915.htm

John Klepper and Sarah Moore

It is normally a very bad thing to post without confirming the source, but this information is to start a conversation with the visitors of this site. There is a faded stamp about the York County Historical Society, but the document’s source is unknown. Please let us know if you have any additional information.

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THE DESCENDANTS OF 
JOHN KLEPPER AND SARAH MOORE

1. INTRODUCTION

For several decades the descendants of John Klepper and Sarah Moore have been holding an annual Klepper reunion. In the early years, Nora Klepper Krall gathered information about the family and it seems desirable to put her information on paper before it is lost. This report will supplement her information with that obtained from Mr. Kauffman of Florida Ave., New York, and from the York County Historical Society.
Certain questions arise naturally: “Who are the Kleppers?”, “Where did they come from?”, “Why did they settle in Pennsylvania?”, etc. Complete answers are, of course, impossible buy partial answers can be given.

2. THE GERMANS IN PENNSYLVANIA

Near the end of the 17th century (1684), Louis XIV of France, desiring military glory, moved his armies northward toward the Netherlands and in passing through the Rhineland devastated the countryside. In particular, the Palatinate, Wurtenburg, Baden and parts of Hesse were severly damaged and the Germans living in this area left without homes of means of making a living. These wars of Louis XIV lasted quite a few years and the area was overrun several times so that living conditions were almost impossible and the peasants were ready to move to almost any country that would have them.
One large group is interested in that they first went to England and after a few years some went to Ireland, some to the Carolinas andabout 3000 landed in New York in June 1710 on their way to Schoharie County, New York. They were badly treated in New York State and within ten years separated into four groups; some stayed in Schoharie County, some went to New Jersey along the Raritan River, some moved back to the Mohawk Valley, and the largest group, having heard good reports about the Pennsylvania Quakers, followed the Susquehanna River south to Swatara Creek and then moved east along this creek; quite a few of these Germans settled in Lebanon County. It is probable that some of the descendants of these early emigrants have, within the past fifty years, intemarried with the Lebanon County Kleppers

3. THE KLÖPFER: JOSEPH, FREDERICK, AND JOHN

Future German emigrants learned of these events and most of them landed in Philadelphia and settled in Pennsylvania. In particular, the ship Sandwich landed in Philadelphia November 30, 1750, and amoung the passengers were Joseph Klöpfer and his son Lorenz. Almost certainly his wife Anna Christina and his other children were with him, but the ship list contains only the names of the adult males (over 16). The children of Joseph and Anna Christina were: 1) Lorenz 2) Elizabeth 3) Joseph Jr. 4) Marie Catharine 5) Dorothy 6) Michael 7) George 8) Frederick 9) Jacob 10) Eve 11) Simon.
The name Joseph Klöpfer , appears May 30, 1757 as one of the organizers of Strayer’s Church near Dover. It also appears on the 1764 tax list; he owned 167 acres north of Dover which extended for about 1/2 mile along the eastern side of the York-Carlisle Road, somewhere near the former big elbow on the hill up the mountain. This farm was later owned by the Spahrs (Dorothy Klöpfer, Joseph’s fifth child, married Philips Adam Spahr on March 24, 1765).

John Valentine Klepper


    Some family members believe that John Valentine Klepper or Johnathan Valentin Klopper is the earliest known Klepper ancestor but at this time there is NO PROOF that he is the father of Jacob Klepper (1741-1828); however, we do know that like Jacob, John was born in Germany and died in Pennsylvania, USA.  John is listed on the September/October 1766 voyage of the 'Chance' from Germany.

    One problem we must face in Genealogy research are the social genealogist and their lack of detail in records.  While they mean well and are very excited at learning about themselves through learning about their family history, they may be doing more harm than good.  A family genealogist once wrote to me that “There are so many Jacobs, Phillips and Mary's, I am becoming confused. Trying to check dates and yours seem to be about right.

Source:
• http://www.searchforancestors.com/passengerlists/chance1766.html
• Lucille Mehrkam, History and Genealogy of the Family of Jacob Klepper/Clepper Family and Malcolm McAlpine Family (The Gregath Company, 1996), Library of Congress under card number 86-62751

Sunday, November 2, 2008

James Wesley Forehand 1825-1904


James Wesley Forehand, son of John W. and Margaret Jane (Marlin/Martin) Forehand, was born 09 October 1825 [March per his headstone] in Tennessee.
First marriage was to Susan Ann Armstrong, daughter of Thomas Armstrong, on 14 May 1851 in Dickson County, Tennessee.
Second marriage was to Louise Virginia (Stifflemire) Farris, widow of A. S. Farris, daughter of Jacob Stifflemire and Martha Cloyd, on 05 February 1865 in Grimes County, Texas.
James came to Texas about 1855 and enlisted on 18 March 1856 in travis County as a Texas Ranger Minuteman, Comm. Officer J. H. Conner. He reenlisted 02 December 1857 in San Saba County under John S. "RIP" Ford. Discharged 05 August 1858.
Family legion says James Wesley returned to Tennessee about 1859 and stole his small daughter, returning to Texas with her. He is listed in the 1860 census of Austin County, Texas with a small daughter Amanda Ann born ca 1851 in Tennessee.
He entered the Civil War 10 April 1862, age 37, as a Private in Company F, 21 Cavalary, 1 Reginment, Carter's Brigade, Texas Lancers. This company later became 21st Regiment Texas Cavalry. He was captured at Murfeesboro, Tennessee on 02 January 1863. (The Union Army retreated after losing 9,000 men in this battle on 02 January 1863). He is on the Roll of Prisoners of War dated 17 June 1863 to be transfered from Louisville, Kentucky to Camp Chase, Ohio. Listed as Private in Company F, 44th Tennessee Infantry Regiment. Discharged June 1863 after taking the oath of the Union. [His headstone list him as serving in Company H, 2nd Texas Calvery.]
In the probate records of Austin County, Texas, Term 1867, Book S page 71-72, "James W. Forehand petition for guardenship of his minor daughter, Amanda Ann Forehand, so he can return to Tennessee and handle her mother's Estate." He moved to Grimes County, texas in 1865; Austin County 1867-8; Hill County 1869-77; Hamilton County 1878 and Waller County 1879 until his death in 1904 [Macedonia-Springer Cemetery, Waller County, Texas, USA]

Children:
Amanda Ann Forehand - born c 1851 TN.; married William Hogan Harris.
Ophelia M Forehand - born 1868 Texas; married W. M. Turpin.
Maggie Lee Forehand - born 1876; married William "Bill" Wesley Morris Clepper; died 1968

Source:
Lucille Mehrkam, History and Genealogy of the Family of Jacob Klepper/Clepper Family and Malcolm McAlpine Family (The Gregath Company, 1996), Library of Congress under card number 86-62751 (page 384)

More details have been posted at www.FindAGrave.com under the Macedonia Cemetery in Waller County, Texas
http://picasaweb.google.com/MasseyTX/JamesWesleyForehand#